Grandeur of Fiordland by Super Yacht

Arrive in Queenstown and meet your fellow travellers at Hotel St Moritz, which boasts spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. This evening, the Skyline Gondola takes us over the city for an inspiring aerial perspective. Admire the glow of a setting sun from 450 metres in the air, aboard the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest cable car. The lights of the city soon stand in stark contrast to the imposing peaks of The Remarkables behind them. On returning to terra firma, a private dining room awaits us at Bob’s Peak. We enjoy our Welcome Dinner with extraordinary views over Queenstown’s twinkling lights. The Hotel St Moritz hosts us this evening for the first of a two-night stay.

Choose the nature of your Queenstown immersion today, with a Your World experience:

• Breathe in the crisp alpine air while trying your hand at fly fishing in a remote location.
• Historic Arrowtown may otherwise tempt you this morning. Wander the main street, with its row of 19th-century wooden buildings, before pausing to sample a taste of the locally distilled gin. From here, travel to nearby Gibbston Valley, home to some of the world’s finest pinot noir. After lunch at Kinross winery, enjoy a tasting guided by four quality local producers. Then enjoy the cool climate of the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave, where a further tasting awaits.
• For those who have chosen to take the morning at leisure, an afternoon option is also available. Head to the award-winning Artbay Gallery, whose curator will guide you through its many pieces of contemporary New Zealand art. Treat yourself to a glass of sparkling while hearing how the collection was brought together.

We reconvene later this afternoon and board the stylish yacht Pacific Jemm for a privately chartered cruise of Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink aboard this luxury vessel, surrounded on all sides by the rugged mountain range of The Remarkables. Disembarking, we dine in style at nearby Botswana Butchery.

We round Lake Wakatipu this morning, taking the road to Te Anau. After enjoying lunch at The MacKinnon Restaurant & Bar, with views of Lake Te Anau, we take to the skies aboard a helicopter for dramatic aerial perspectives over Fiordland. In a manner befitting James Bond, we then make our descent into mystical Doubtful Sound, landing stealthily upon the helideck of luxury super yacht Island Escape. Its surrounding waters are pristine, reflecting the surrounding peaks back at us. Take it all in, then settle in to your suite. We then begin our voyage, navigating the epic surrounds of Doubtful Sound, before reaching the open waters of the Tasman Sea. Our dynamic positioning system brings the vessel to a halt on entering secluded Dagg Sound. Enjoy the fresh sea air tonight, as we dine alfresco, during a Welcome Dinner.

We cruise further south this morning, while keeping watch for passing whales. During our lunch amid the epic scenery of Dusky Sound, the captain tells us some of the local history, including key moments from Captain James Cook’s visits to the region. Be on the lookout for bottlenose dolphins leaping out of the water as we make our way to Pickersgill Harbour, which was named after one of Cook’s lieutenants. It’s here the famed navigator beached his ship HMS Resolution, at the time in some need of repair. This historic site can only be reached by the water. Perhaps take one of our onboard kayaks out along the shoreline, pondering what it may have been like for Cook and his crew as they drew near the towering peaks and exotic vegetation of this remote land. Heading ashore, we take the short walk to Astronomers Point, the site of a temporary observatory set up during Cook’s stay. After some exploring of our own, we return to Island Escape to enjoy dinner paired with regional wine.

Following breakfast this morning, our vessel glides over smooth waters to the head of Dusky Sound. Following the Seaforth River, we find Supper Cove. This point marks the beginning of the western trailhead for the Dusky Track, a challenging but rewarding hike taking in several lakes, rivers and valleys. As we continue cruising toward Cascade Cove, scan the shore while our captain tells stories of elusive moose roaming Fiordland. With no photographic evidence having been captured since the fifties, the legend that they still inhabit the area has endured nevertheless, with several unsubstantiated claims making the rounds in the intervening years. Our yacht takes us along Cook Channel and into Fanny Bay, before we board our Zodiacs and head for shore, visiting Seaforth Hut. The fresh sea air stirs a hunger in us this evening, which we promptly satisfy back on board thanks to our yacht’s dedicated chefs.

This morning, we are whisked to nearby Sportsman’s Cove, where we enjoy morning tea and learn more of the region’s history from our captain. We’re also given some inside knowledge about local moose sightings. Negotiating Acheron Passage brings us along Wet Jacket Arm, inventively named by Cook’s crew for the effect of Fiordland’s relentless storms on their attire. Climb aboard a Zodiac for a greater appreciation of the shores’ steep inclines, which lead to imposing and forested peaks. Cruising the length of the arm then brings us to Herrick Creek, before we dock for the night at nearby Oke Island.

Our captain cruises along Acheron Passage this morning, rounding Resolution Island before coming to rest in Disappointment Cove – watch for seals and dolphins here. During a lunch-time talk, we hear of conservation efforts to counter the effect of introduced species, including stoats, deer and possums. Stepping ashore at Sunday Cove, we enjoy afternoon tea, then learn about the local venison industry. Tonight, we retire to our suites while anchored in Third Cove along the relatively small Breaksea Sound, known to host dolphin pods.

Cruising past John Islands today brings us to Vancouver Arm and Broughton Arm. One of our yacht’s officers has the scoop on some secluded fishing spots and offers to take us out to try our luck. With plenty of crayfish and blue cod up for grabs, you may even dine on your own catch this evening. Of course, you may prefer to go ashore and explore the intertidal shoreline and bushland which are also features of Broughton Arm. As the sun sets on yet another adventure-filled day, relax up on deck as the stars begin to populate the sky.